United in Faith Worldwide!

Breaking a century-old tradition, the largest convention organization in the world has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second time in as many years, canceling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 lands.

Since 2016, summers in the Treasure Valley have featured Jehovah’s Witnesses attending their annual conventions at the Ford Idaho Center arena. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition, moving the international religious organization to cancel in-person conventions throughout the world and launch a global virtual event. This was a first for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters around the world since 1897.

Mark Scroggin, a resident of Boise, Idaho, has been assisting with organizing the annual conventions in the Treasure Valley for several years. “It's been a tremendous privilege just to be able to see that side and all the work that goes into these conventions,” Scroggin said, “and to think about how it benefits so many thousands of people at any given convention.”

While reflecting on all the efforts to make an in-person event successful, Scroggin has seen advantages to the virtual platform. “I was able to listen to the program in a way that I really had never experienced before,” he stated.

Scroggin is confident the material prepared will be extremely beneficial to attendees. “This convention has optimism written all over it,” he stated. “I think faith is being challenged at a level that it hasn't experienced ever before. We see it from what's happening in the world.”

“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which has been delivered in more than 500 languages to households throughout the globe and uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries.

“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship—even virtually—as millions gather in private homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual program.”

All are invited to attend the event by going to www.jw.org on the web or Media > JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app available for iOS or Android. JW Broadcasting is also available on streaming platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The program is free and accessible to all.